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Award
BA (Hons)
Duration
1 year full-time (Top-up)
UCAS Code
N855
Entry
September, February
Fees
View Fees
Access our new Aviation and Tourism Suite, complete with mock plane cabin
Opportunity to travel overseas for an aviation project
Airlines welcomed more than 4.5 billion passengers in 2019, while global cities, ‘mega-regions’ and emerging destinations have experienced phenomenal growth in aviation development. Devised in response to these trends, our Aviation and Airport Management top-up degree will build on your existing industry knowledge and help get your career flying in this dynamic sector.
This top-up course will enhance your understanding of global aviation and the industry’s contribution to national economies. Studying at a recognised Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) Centre of Excellence, you’ll also have access to University College Birmingham’s stunning new Aviation and Tourism Suite, offering state-of-the-art simulation facilities including a mock plane cabin.
Our course gives you the chance to travel overseas and undertake a project examining the impact of aviation connectivity. With nearby Birmingham Airport’s £500 million expansion plan to become the ‘Midlands Gateway to the World’, there is also a wealth of practical opportunities right on your doorstep.
If you have previously studied a relevant subject up to Level 5, you will be able to enrol on our one-year top-up course. If you have previously studied a relevant subject up to Level 4, you can apply to transfer onto our course at Level 5 for the remaining two years of your degree.
Why should I choose this course?
- RESIDENTIAL VISIT – Gain unique industry insight by undertaking an overseas project, with essential trip costs covered by the University – past destinations have included Dubai and Istanbul
- PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Put your theory into practice working on real aviation projects and studying in our cutting-edge Aviation and Tourism Suite
- SPECIALISE YOUR STUDIES – Develop specialist knowledge of an area of the aviation industry that interests you for your final research project
- INDUSTRY APPROVED – Study at an ITT Centre of Excellence, with enrichment opportunities available including tourism and travel industry events on campus
- AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – Study at the University of the Year offering the best Student Support in the UK (WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2022)
Our facilities
Students on our aviation courses at University College Birmingham have access to outstanding simulation facilities in our new Aviation and Tourism Suite. You will also have the chance to study in our new Digital Creative Studio, where you can learn an array of skills for producing digital content including video and audio.
Our new Aviation and Tourism Suite features a state-of-the-art mock plane cabin, as well as check-in areas and Galileo GDS system for training students
Our new Aviation and Tourism Suite features a state-of-the-art mock plane cabin, as well as check-in areas and Galileo GDS system for training students
Our new Aviation and Tourism Suite features a state-of-the-art mock plane cabin, as well as check-in areas and Galileo GDS system for training students
Our new Aviation and Tourism Suite features a state-of-the-art mock plane cabin, as well as check-in areas and Galileo GDS system for training students
Based in Camden House, our new Digital Creative Studio features state-of-the-art video and audio production facilities, including a video production studio with 4K cameras and green screen technology
The Digital Creative Studio hosts audio podcasting, vision mixing and editing facilities, as well as high-spec computers with Adobe Creative Cloud software and graphics tablets
Aviation and Tourism Suite
Take a look around our Aviation and Tourism Suite, featuring exciting simulation facilities for students on our aviation, travel and tourism courses.
Course breakdown
Note: If you are transferring onto the course at Level 5, there may be some variations in the modules you will study.
- Modules
Core Modules
Aviation Crisis Management
The aviation industry can be susceptible to 'shocks' fuelled by political, economic, social and environmental factors, and a downturn in demand can be catastrophic for individual organisations, or the entire industry. You will examine the volatility of aviation's international environment, the impact of unexpected events on aviation activity, and devise aviation crisis management plans and evaluate recovery strategy.
Contemporary Aviation Issues
You will critically examine the contemporary issues facing airline and airport managers in the current environment such as political-economic, social, technological and environmental issues. Not only will this give you an overview of the challenges facing the industry, but you will understand the key aspects impacting on the future of aviation.
Strategic Aviation Management
You will address the long-term direction to be taken by an organisation within the aviation industry and take a structured approach to the full range of issues included in a corporate strategy within a global environment. You will learn procedures and techniques that encompass all areas of this course in order to identify threats and opportunities that exist when developing successful planning strategies.
Plus one option from:
Financial Strategy
An opportunity to consolidate your financial planning knowledge, you will learn how to synthesise and evaluate business performance and strategy. You will develop an in-depth knowledge of financial concepts and how companies portray themselves through their annual reports.
Destination Management
You will study tourist destinations in the context of social, economic and environmental change. You will look at destinations from the perspective of visitors and hosts while examining the effectiveness of the strategies employed to maximise the benefits to all stakeholders.
International Marketing
We live in an interconnected world, so it's important to examine how organisations explore new market opportunities beyond national boundaries. As a result, you will become more aware of the technological, communication and transportation challenges businesses face and the options they consider when seeking a foothold in a new country.
Research option:
Research Project
You will have the opportunity to engage in an independent research project of your choice. You will have support with preparing your proposal and understanding the competent characteristics of good research. An appointed tutor will help guide you through this important and rewarding process.
Enterprise and Innovation Showcase
This will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities in researching, planning and delivering an industry or community-related project. You will research a new business product, service or system and develop it into an idea that you can exhibit at an event to your peers and industry professionals.
The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Level 5 (Year 2)
Academic: A relevant HNC, Certificate of Higher Education or a higher level qualification in the areas of Aviation Operations, Air Transport Management or Air Transport Operations and Tourism, with 120 credits.
Level 6 (Year 3)
Academic: A relevant HND or a foundation degree in the areas of Aviation Operations, Air Transport Management or Air Transport Operations and Tourism, with 240 credits.
International students
Academic: European and International qualifications studied in a relevant subject matter will also be considered. Applicants will need to have achieved 60 for Year 2 or 120 for Year 3 ECTS or equivalent (European Credit Transfer).
If you are unsure if your previous qualification is suitable, please contact us before completing an application. You can call us on 0121 604 1040 or complete our enquiry form:
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Note: Indicative information only – actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction.
Teaching
Example of a typical teaching week at Level 5 (up to 17 contact hours):
- Large group teaching – 5 hours
- Smaller group teaching – 7 hours
- Tutorials – 2 hours
- Industry speaker sessions
- Field trip
Level 6 study will involve fewer teaching contact hours per week, with a greater focus on independent study towards your final research project.
You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time.
Assessment
Estimated breakdown of assessment for this course:
- Coursework – 34%
- Practical assessment – 33%
- Independent research project – 33%
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2015-2020.
Tuition fees
UK students
If you are a UK student enrolling on a standard-length Foundation Degree or a BA/BSc at University College Birmingham, your fee for this academic year will be £9,250. A half-year tuition fee is £4,625. There will be no change to this tuition fee for the forthcoming two academic years (2023/24 and 2024/25).
View undergraduate fees
International students
If you are an international student enrolling on a full-time foundation degree or a BA/BSc in 2023/24, your fee for this academic year will be £13,500 per year.
If you complete a placement year, there will be an administration fee of £500 for a full year or £250 for a half-year placement.
Kick-Start Scheme
As a new student studying this course full-time, you will receive £300 per year through our Kick-Start Scheme (UK students only, eligibility criteria applies). This scheme will support your studies and future career by contributing to course-related materials, uniform or selected items on campus. You may also qualify for an additional £500 per year.
Find out more about the Kick-Start Scheme here.
UCBconnect - meet other students on your course
Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, we have created a platform called UCBconnect, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.
As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation via text and email to complete your user registration and join UCBconnect. For more information, please visit ucb.ac.uk/ucbconnect.
This course is accredited by the University of Warwick.
University College Birmingham is a recognised Institute of Travel and Tourism Centre of Excellence.
This course has been developed with extensive input from industry experts, including Swissport.
Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships
University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry.
70%
Work experience
Work experience is vital for learning how to apply your training in the real world and for building your confidence and skills before you finish your course – and it may even lead to a job when you graduate. Our Hired can help you find suitable work experience.
We encourage students on our BA Aviation and Airport Management top-up course to gain work experience throughout your studies.
The best part about this course is going abroad and travelling around the UK to see airports and compile reports on them instead of having to search online and read about them. We were able to view them first-hand and do the primary research we needed for the course
Career opportunities
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Passenger transport manager
Average Salary: £30,000
Sustainability manager
Average Salary: £42,367
Business development manager
Average Salary: £42,500
Transport planner
Average Salary: £32,500
Regional sales manager
Average Salary: £39,716
Airport operations manager
Average Salary: £35,461
Want to take your studies to the next level? Completing the BA (Hons) degree will enable you to move onto our postgraduate courses such as Aviation Management MSc/PGDip or International Tourism Management MSc/PGDip.
Andrew’s Story
Thanks to his degree, Andrew’s career is positively flying as passenger services supervisor within Ground Operations at Cornwall Airport Newquay (NQY).
Meet your lecturers
Prof Michelle Callanan
Deputy Dean (School of Business, Tourism & Creative Industries)
Meet Michelle
